Pontypridd 27-6 Ebbw Vale

Ebbw were rewarded for their early territorial advantage as fly-half Gareth Bowen converted a fourth minute penalty. Ponty meanwhile were struggling to make an impact in a low key affair, the game bogged down in a muddy midfield area, and both try lines remaining unthreatened.

A full half hour had passed before the deadlock was broken, Dean Gunter stroking over a penalty for Ponty to level the scores. As the home team kept up their momentum, wing Owen Williams squeezed in for a try in the corner, converted by Gunter. A penalty kicked by Gareth Bowen on the stroke of half time narrowed the deficit, but Ponty going in ahead by 10pts to 6.

A floodlight failure delayed the start of the second half, and the game when it eventually resumed offering a poor fare of aimless kicking and miss-handling. A vital spark was needed to ignite the contest and it came as Ponty wing Lewis Williams broke from his own half, weaving and side stepping through the opposition defence to score. Ponty were now in forward gear, and almost rewarded as a long range Gunter penalty rebounded off the bar.

With Ebbw Vale constantly infringing, their no8 Rhys Williams was sin binned, and the home team’s constant pressure finally telling as scrum half Gavin Morris sniped through for a try, converted by Gunter. Working off a strong scrum platform, Ponty were looking lively, a sweet passing move down the line rounded off with a try for flanker Darren Waters.

After a slow start, all was well that ended well for Ponty, securing a valuable bonus point victory by 27pts to 6.

Pontypridd:

15.Gary Williams. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer (Aaron Bramwell). 11.Lewis Williams. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Kristian Baller (Gavin Morris).

1.Jon Williams (Ken Knaggs). 2.Tom Hetherington (Kristian Dacey). 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Grant Harrington (Chris Martenko). 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis. 7.Darren Waters. 8.Nathan Strong (Wayne O’Connor).

“Golden Bob” man of the match: Owen Willliams

Scorers: